5 Tips for Working Better With Vendors

November 1, 2019

Event production is an incredibly diverse and creative field, bringing together many moving parts, each with their own requirements and needs. From efficiency and organization to keeping a cool head under pressure and expertly managing time, the list of skills needed to produce a seamless event — no matter how big or small — is long. At the core, it’s all about respect, Here are some of our top tips on how to work smarter with vendors to deliver the best events possible.

Be kind to everyone.

This one is pretty self explanatory, but something that is so important. Treat others the way you’d expect to be treated, no questions asked.

Understand their job.

When you are working with multiple vendors on an event, it’s important to take the time to ask important questions and understand what each of them needs to be successful. Offer support wherever it’s needed so everyone feels like they are set up for success.

Go the extra mile.

It’s the small things and details that matter most. It goes a long way to treat vendors as part of your team. For example, we make sure everyone is fed — AV techs don’t often get a break, so making sure they get lunch is important. We aim to leave the venue cleaner than we found it. Being in the business of hospitality, we should all extend courtesy not only to event attendees, but also the people working hard behind the scenes.

Overcommunicate.

Things move very fast in our industry and, with so many moving parts, items can fall through the cracks. Overcommunicate with vendors and make sure they have detailed event briefs in advance of the event. This ensures everyone feels confident, knowledgeable and has their game face on come event time.

Say thank you.

This might be the most important one. Verbally thanking people throughout the day is so important, but we’ve also made it a tradition in our company that after every event, we send handwritten thank-you notes from our entire team to each vendor. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way.

 

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Partner Voices
HERE, EVENTS HELP YOUR COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.   
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